Sunday, July 15, 2018

Sringandeeswarar Temple, Thiruvur – The Temple

Sringandeeswarar Temple, Thiruvur – The Temple

The east facing temple has a
three tier Raja gopura with two attractive and big stucco images of Nandi in
the entrance belonging to recent times, holding deer and axe, signifying the
deer symbolism throughout the temple. Nandi is found in the standing posture
with four arms. The inscription slabs along with the symbol of Vijayanagara
Kings are also found near the temple tower. The Rajagopuram was built during
Vijayanagara period.

The small Maha mandapam area has
pillars with a lot of interesting carvings. One of the sculptures is that of
Rishya Shringa Rishi. The stucco idols of Nataraja-Shivakami and Nandi
with his consort are also situated in the Maha Mandapam. The idol of the
sage Rishya Shringa along with Shiva Linga named Vishwanath is the
highlight of this temple. The bali peetha, flag staff and Nandi mandapam are
found facing towards the sanctum.

Presiding Deity is called as Sringandeeswarar.
Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy in the form of Big Shiva Linga. He is housed in the
east facing sanctum. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and
Durgai are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar is
found in his usual location. Mother is called as Uthpalaambal. Mother is of Chola period Idol in standing
posture with a beautiful smile on her face. Mother is housed in a separate
Shrine, situated adjacent to the sanctum and her shrine is south facing shrine.

The ceiling is covered by an exquisite
Ashtadikpalakas panel, with an image of Sastha (Ayyanar/ Sathanar) flanked by
two fishes, as well as an image of a fish fighting a monitor lizard. The Fish
fighting the monitor lizard, probably is to symbolize the victory of the
Pandyas over the Cholas. Sculptures of Rameswarar, Tirunageshwarar,
Jambukeswarar (Tiruvanaikkaa), Rishya Sringandeeswarar can be found on all four
sides of a pillar in the Artha Mandapam.

There are few interesting sculptures in the pillars
which include Vali worshiping Linga, elephant worshiping Linga, Nardana
Ganapati, etc. The temple has just one prakara which is wide with a lot of open
space. The Shrines of Vallal Peruman (Murugan) with his consorts Valli and Devasena
and Athi Mukha Vinayakar are found in the prakara. The idol of Annanmars (seven
idols of warriors) can also be found in this temple.

There are shrines for Nayanmars, Singara Chandran,
Singara Suryan, Singara Bairavar, Vallalar, Saptha Kannigaikal and Naagar in
the outer prakaram. There is no Navagrahas Sannadhi. Since Ashtathik Balakas
are on the top of Rajagopuram, a separate Sannadhi for Navagrahas was not
built. It was also told that there is an underground tunnel available from
the present Madapalli and the same was closed during the Kumbabhishekam without
any investigation.

Some of the old idols found during the excavations
are kept in various places in the temple. Some of them such as a Murugan idol
near Amman shrine and a Ganesha idol at the entrance of the temple are in good
condition. The other sculptures are found broken. Throughout the temple, are
various images of Sage Rishya Shringa, reiterating the fact that he had
installed the main deity.

The walls are lined with inscriptions (total of 12
inscriptions have been recorded at this temple) which today have been sadly
painted over. One such inscription speaks about grants given to the Kariamanicka
Perumal temple, which is on the opposite lane. A beautiful temple, built out of
laterite stones, is currently being renovated. This temple, is almost on the
banks of the Cooum river. Inscriptions also mention grants given to the Ganesha
shrine to light lamps in the 14th Century by Anukki Purushotama Bhattar
Varadan. This Ganesha is found in a separate shrine behind the temple.